Wednesday, September 25, 2013

A tutorial on how to draw a dragon head. 
Or follow this link and click the image for a larger version. Have fun! Feel free to email us your drawings, with parents permission. 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

A Dragon's Lament

I'm tired of being a dragon,
Ferocious and brimming with flame,
The cause of unspeakable terror
When anyone mentions my name.
I'm bored with my bad reputation
For being a miserable brute,
And being routinely expected.
To brazenly pillage and loot.

I wish that I weren't repulsive,
Despicable, ruthless and fierce,
With talons designed to dismember
And fangs finely fashioned to pierce.
I've lost my desire for doing
The deeds any dragon should do,
But since I can't alter my nature,
I guess I'll just terrify you.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Fantasy Art

I like to share when I find something cool. This artist does some amazing work and has it on pottery, clocks, posters, and much more. I am World of Warcraft Fanatic and so that is how she drew my attention. I absolutely love this picture below. More of her art can be found at annestokes.com and the things she sells at way reasonable prices is https://www.annestokesshop.com/

Monday, September 16, 2013

Fantasy Quote of the Day!

“Fairy tales do not give the child his first idea of bogey. What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey. The baby has known the dragon intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon.” G.K. Chesterton, Tremendous Trifles

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Dragon Corpse Washes Up On Spanish Shore

Just when you thought that dragons did not exist, that man made them up, nature gives you a hint that they really did walk our realms. Recently a sea creature washed up on a Spanish Beach. Its horns are reminiscent of sea serpents or water dragons. Scientists are speculating it is a rotted thresher shark or an oar fish. I like the theory it is a dragon. Read more at Dragon Corpse Washes Up On Spanish Shore

Friday, September 13, 2013

Once They All Believed in Dragons


by Jack Prelutsky (from The Dragons are Singing Tonight)

Once they all believed in dragons
When the world was fresh and young,
We were woven into legends,
Tales were told and songs were sung,
We were treated with obeisance,
We were honored, we were feared,
Then one day they stopped believing -
On that day, we disappeared.
Now they say our time is over
Now they say we've lived our last,
Now we're treated with derision
Where we once ruled unsurpassed.
We must make them all remember,
In some way we must reveal
That our spirit lives forever -
We are dragons!  We are real!




Thursday, September 12, 2013

The Joys of Editing

My favorite part of writing is.. well writing.  Watching the story unfold in my mind is like watching a movie.  I totally enjoy the first reread, seeing it in a constant flow rather then broken up over the time it takes me to write and work.  I hate editing.

Do not get me wrong, I totally understand the importance of fleshing out the story, checking grammar and spelling, and insuring no discrepancies, but the whole time I am thinking but I just want to write the next part.

That is where I am now.  I am lost in a round of editing and comments from my editor to correct or 'add more meat'.  I love my editor, don't get me wrong but I just want to see the book release.  I am excited and at the same time, I do want it right the first time.

I dream of the day, like any writer, that my books take off and have popularity.  It would be a crowning day to see something I have written on the best seller's list.  But truthfully for me, what I really dream of is the day I can write all day if I chose.  Right now, I have to squeeze writing and editing around a four day - eleven hour work schedule.  Working these kind of hours often depletes you of any creative energy.

I try to right something every day.  Whether I am doing a little role play on World of Warcraft or just adding a page to a story.  But the true joy is when one can sit and just watch a story fly from your finger tips.   I am a very visual person, so it is like watching a movie.

Thank you for everyone who stops by here and encourages and supports me.  You truly are my family as much as any family by blood.  Remember, never stop dreaming.  The world was built on the dreams of others.



Sunday, September 8, 2013

Fantasy Quote of the Day!


“But it is said: Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger. The choice is yours: to go or wait.'

'And it is also said,' answered Frodo: 'Go not to the Elves for counsel for they will answer both no and yes.'

'Is it indeed?' laughed Gildor. 'Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.”

 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Ring Sets Out




Saturday, September 7, 2013

What is a Korpen?

Korpen are the beasts of burden in the Dragons' Geas series.  Think giant Rhinoceros Beetle, add some spikes on its back, and you would be close.    They are very large pests. Gentle and easily distracted by food, yet if they wander as a herd onto a farm, devastating to the farmer.  They first appear in the novel Outcast.


Excerpt from outcast:

Korpen had originally been slow moving pests that roved in herds and a nuisance to outlying farms. They were single-minded when hungry despite their slow moving methodical pace.  In untamed areas, korpen were wild and yet still would let you walk right up to them as they ate.  Taming them was easy if they knew that a source of food awaited them. Their massive heads had double horns that were oriented vertically. The upper horn curves forward from behind the head, whereas the lower emerges from the head itself.  As a protection from predators such as dragons, their back’s spikes were almost impenetrable.  It was useful to the miners as korpen were strong and a great amount of weight could be attached to each spike.


Friday, September 6, 2013

Dragon Poetry

I found this poem, its author is Unknown.  However.  I love it and wanted to share it with you all.  After all, the day of dragons still lives in our minds and hearts.

When Dragons Ruled the Skies

"The times's long gone" the old man said.
"You've come too late, my son.
You'll see them not in this sad age, their time is long since done
A hundred years ago and more, they've been gone from this land." 
His voice was tough but his voice said "Aye lad I understand."
For I had sailed 'cross half a world to seek the fabled isles
Where I had heard that dragon wings still soared across the skies.

"You must have come from far indeed," he said with knowing eyes.
"The word has gone afar and wide that they have left our skies.
"Sit down a while, young lad. Let me tell you a tale
Of dragons streaming down the wind, sunlight bright on their scales
A tale my grandfather told me when I was but a lad,
For I too know the dragon's draw, I'd fain not leave you sad."

And so I sat down at his feet, upon a tuft of grass,
And listened as he spun a tale of beasts of gold and brass,
With scales brighter than minted coin, wings glinting in the sun,
Higher by far than eagles soar Dragons were wont to run.
He told of glory greater far than any work of men,
Of wisdom born in aeons past and held in trust since then.

His eyes were bright with boyhood's gleam as dusk crept down the sky,
I knew he heard an older voice, from when he, just like I,
Had sat and listened to the tale, hanging on every word
From one who might have seen it true, in a more wondrous world
He told it as much for himself as he told it for me
For his heart knew the yearning too those golden wings to see.

At last his tale drew to a close and with one breath we sighed
Imagining a brighter age before the wonder died
When unicorns roamed in the woods and giants still were seen
And mountain valleys echoed with the griffon's fearless scream
When wizards walked upon the earth with magic in their eyes
When elves lived side by side with men and Dragons ruled the skies.

"Well that's the tale" he said at last. "My grandpa told to me
He said he saw with his own eyes their wings over the sea
The day they flew into the west never again to fly
Above the hills of this green isle." He heaved a heavy sigh
And said to me "Well I must go, the sun is nearly set
My wife will have the dinner done, and home's a long walk yet

Perhaps you'll come and eat with us? There's plenty to go 'round."
Though his offer sore tempted me, I stood and looked around
Then politely I did decline -- "I too must go," said I
And he gave me a knowing look, and briefly caught my eye
I turned and walked back down the hill, towards the little town
That slumbered quietly 'round the bay where I had come aground.


Back to my skiff I made my way, and raised the sail once more
And with the sunset on my face, I turned my back to shore
Ahead lay naught but open sea, I saw no hint of land
But still I set the tiller with a firm and steady hand
For somewhere to the west they soar and westward my course lies,
'Till I have found the fabled land where Dragons rule the skies.

Now I have sailed ten thousand leagues and I'll sail many more
And storm and wreck I'll gladly brave as I have braved before
Though empty is the open sea and bitter winter's storms
Emptier still's a dreamless soul and crueler is the scorn
Of those who do not dare to dream and cling to hearth-fire's glow
I left them without looking back many a year ago.

So now the ocean is my road all through the starlit night
'Till the sun rises at my back and in the dawn's grey light
I see an island long and low a half day's sail away
Hid under heavy looming clouds not yet lit by the day
Yet as dawn brightens in the sky I see a sudden gleam
As the sun's first ray glances from a circling seabird's wing.

But surely no bird could be seen as far afield as this
And no feather could ever gleam so bright in dawn's first kiss
Another shines and still a third, a spark of golden fire
From thirty leagues I see them climb soaring higher and higher
Surely nothing but dragon's scale could so brazenly shine
As they thunder into the air in beauty near divine.

I see them clearly though my eyes are filled with tears of joy
For finally I've found the dream I first dreamed as a boy
My skiff fair flies across the waves, her bow spits spindrift foam
Though never have I seen this shore, I feel I'm coming home
And overhead the sky is gold and glory fills my eyes
The crystal air is wonder pure

And Dragons Rule The Skies.
~ unknown (!)

Monday, September 2, 2013

Fantasy Quote of the Day!

“Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisioned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien